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White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said the White House is "closely monitoring the situation" following the Chile earthquake. A massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Chile early Saturday killing at least 78 people. The massive quake plunged much of the Chilean capital, Santiago, into darkness as it snapped power lines and severed communications, and AFP journalists spoke of walls and masonry collapsing.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told a pool reporter that, "We are closely monitoring the situation, including the potential for a tsunami. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Chile, and we stand ready to help in this hour of need."